Jurgen Klopp: Borussia Dortmund coach to step down at end of season

By Matt Majendie

Updated 1249 GMT (2049 HKT) April 15, 2015

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

The seven faces of Jurgen Klopp – Jurgen Klopp ended his seven year stay at Borussia Dortmund earlier in the year to take time away from the sport. He has since become soccer's most wanted man and he has emerged as first choice for the vacant Liverpool job. The Anfield club sacked Brendan Rodgers on Sunday after winning only four out of 11 games this season.

Never shy in expressing himself, we explore the many faces of this charismatic coach.

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

Happy Klopp – Klopp's reign at Dortmund gave him plenty to smile about. He led the club to two German league titles -- in 2011 and 2012 -- while also clinching the German Cup in 2012.

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

Sad Klopp – But, Klopp also had reasons to be glum. His time at Dortmund is perhaps best remembered for the team's run to the 2013 Champions League final. While he won many admirers, Klopp didn't win club football's biggest prize. Dortmund were beaten 2-1 by archrivals Bayern Munich at London's Wembley Stadium.

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

Candid Klopp – As well as providing memorable moments on the pitch, Klopp gave numerous sound bites in his press conferences at Dortmund. Take this response when he was asked about his bountiful blonde locks: "Yes, it's true. I underwent a hair transplant. I think the results are really cool, don't you?"

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

Angry Klopp – And when he's not happy, Klopp makes his feelings known. No stranger to screaming from the touchlines, he terrified fans all over the world when he tore into a stunned official during Dortmund's match against Napoli in 2013.

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

Calm Klopp – When all is going well and his team is playing well, Klopp is serene. During his spell at BVB, he saw players like Marco Reus, Mario Gotze and Lewandowski effortlessly defeat the opposition, meaning he can relax on the touchline.

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

Curious Klopp – At times, Dortmund's players left Klopp scratching his head. Despite possessing a talented squad, they started the 2014-15 season poorly, losing 10 league matches by Christmas. After the winter break, however, the team rallied to finish seventh in the Bundesliga.

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Photos:Jurgen Klopp: The seven faces of a soccer icon

'Come-get-me' Klopp – Klopp is one of football's brightest coaches and could be set to take on a new challenge at Anfield.

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(CNN)When Jurgen Klopp was appointed coach of Borussia Dortmund, he said he wanted to "make memories."

When he leaves the Bundesliga club at the end of the season it will be with memories in abundance having led Dortmund through one of the most successful periods in its history.

"I always said in that moment where I believe I am not the perfect coach anymore for this extraordinary club, I will say so," Klopp told reporters as he confirmed his decision to step down. "I believe this is the right decision at the right time.

His decision to call time on his Dortmund spell will inevitably see Klopp linked with Europe's top clubs given his coaching pedigree.

"I have not had any contact with any other clubs, nor have I any plans to take a sabbatical," said the 47-year-old German.

"I just wanted to make my decision known now so that the club can plan for the future."

He might have become a cultural phenomenon, but Klopp became a footballing phenomenon too.

He landed the role at Dortmund originally after a successful spell in management for Mainz, in which he got it into the Bundesliga albeit briefly, on a duel approach of blooding young players but playing an exciting, attacking brand of football.

Dortmund's decision was rewarded with a Bundesliga title in 2011 followed by a successful defense the following season -- winning a league record 25 matches and ending the campaign with 81 points, the greatest total at that time.

The following two seasons ended with a runners-up spot in the league but a remarkable run to the Champions League final in 2013.

Initially given little hope of proceeding from a "Group of Death" that included Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax, Dortmund did not lose a match in its group and ousted Jose Mourinho's Real in the semifinal.

But Dortmund ultimately lost 2-1 to Bayern in the final courtesy of a winner by Arjen Robben two minutes from time.

His success on a relatively meager budget brought the attention of a whole host of clubs. It is thought Manchester City sounded him out before approaching Manuel Pellegrini and, with the Chilean under fire, Klopp has once more been linked to the post.

But Klopp turned down all overtures signing a new deal in 2013 to tie him to Dortmund until 2018.

Explaining that at the time: "It's an honor that some big clubs rate my work at Dortmund but I'm not the type who wonders whether the grass is greener elsewhere."

This season has been a rarity for Klopp in that the team found itself on the back foot -- at times at the very foot of the Bundesliga -- before Klopp steadied the ship to leave it in the 10th place they currently occupy.

In Europe, Dortmund initially fared better. The team coasted through their Champions League qualifying group only be totally outplayed over two legs by Juventus in the round of 16.

Real is seen as another potential destination for him next season while he has previously been linked to Liverpool and Arsenal. Klopp, though, has yet to declare his hand.

As a manager, he has repeatedly been quick to downplay his role in Dortmund's strong domestic and European showing, instead being self-deprecating to a tee of his abilities both on and off the field of play.

Of his DIY skills, he once said: "You'd be waiting 30 or 40 years for me to build a table. I have more than two left hands."